Behold the actual homes from 'Better Off Dead'
Our Stuck in the '80s paparazzi is back on the prowl, this time shooting photos of the houses from 1985's Better Off Dead. Brad Williams, our SoCal correspondent, files this report:
I'm starting to feel a bit like a stalker. Nobody was around at the "Ricky Smith" house (right, at 1633 Virginia Avenue in Glendale, Calif.), but it looked like the owner had just gotten home at the "Lane Meyer" home (above, right across the street at 1636 Virginia Avenue in Glendale).
The interior of the garage is visible in the shot - I don't know if they used the house itself or just the exteriors in Better Off Dead, but if they did, that's where Lane Meyer first attempted to off himself in the movie.
I snapped a couple pictures from the middle of the street and headed back to my car before the owner emerged to question me.
The trees in the front of the house have been added since the film was shot, and a pull-through driveway cuts across where Lane's Camaro sat in an "auto cocoon," but the house is otherwise recognizable. No homemade space shuttles burst from the roof in the brief time I was there.
The "Smith" house looks just as I remember it from the film, with the big trees in the front and the small porch/stoop where Monique sat and laughed at Ricky's picture, although the lawn was a little ragged.
Enjoy!
-- Brad
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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way cool!
Posted by: chase | July 10, 2009 at 12:38 AM
I watch taht movie at least once a month.
Posted by: Blake Britton | July 09, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Thanks for sharing! Love that movie!
I need to come out to Cali for an 80s movie location tour.
Posted by: Old School | July 09, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Once I get my own show out there, Brad, we'll hang out every night...if the Forever Fiancee lets me.
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 09, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Beth at 2:39.
"Would you like to hold my clipboard?"
Posted by: Zen Master | July 09, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I seriously want Taylor Negron on the podcast.
Posted by: Spears | July 09, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Nice photos, Brad. You didn't see Taylor Negron walking around dressed as a mail man, did you?
Posted by: Bassnote | July 09, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Thanks for sharing. I am a huge John Cusack fan and seeing photo of the houses from Better Off Dead is great. I remember seeing Better Off Dead as a sneak preview and the movie theater gave out 45's(vinyls) of 'With One Look' to the audience. I still have it.
Posted by: Beth | July 09, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Hamptune - no, the street sign isn't there. Somebody on another website pointed out that the sign was likely installed for that shot - it's facing the wrong direction!
Tell you what, Sean - when you're in LA give me a call and I'll take your picture in front of the Halloween house. You know it's just a matter of time until you're out here amongst your nice and shallow pals!
Posted by: Brad | July 09, 2009 at 12:50 PM
What we really want to know is if the streetsign Monique was throwing objects at is still there? A bonus would being able to speculate on the window Lane allegedly broke trying to hit said sign...
Posted by: Hamptune | July 09, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Or the "Donnie Darko" one. So Brad is the Stuck in the 80s funyuns provider and part-time paparazzi now? Cool! Nice photos,Brad.
Posted by: Miguel | July 09, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Hey Brad -- next time you're in West Hollywood, could you get me the "Halloween" house?
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 09, 2009 at 11:16 AM
This is one of my favorite 80's movies. Thanks for sharing your photos and story, Brad!
Posted by: Spiky Sandy | July 09, 2009 at 10:38 AM